Aberdeen site will set new standards in the ‘home of golf’
New York, NY; March 31, 2006â?¦.Donald Trump, whose passion for golf is well documented and whose mother was born in Scotland, plans to design and build a spectacular golf development on an 800-acre stretch of stunning sand dunes at Menie Estate, Aberdeenshire, in the northeast part of Scotland.
The Trump Organization, which already has $200 million invested in the U.S. golf industry, is in the preliminary stages of a planning application to build the multi-million-dollar project located just minutes outside Europe’s oil capital, Aberdeen, and close to world renowned links courses such as Cruden Bay, Royal Aberdeen and Murcar.
The development, which will be known as Trump International Golf Links, Scotland, will be comprised of two championship golf courses, a five-star hotel with associated facilities, a state-of-the-art golf academy and a turf grass research center. The development will also include a mixed use residential element.
The courses will be Donald J. Trump Signature Designs, in association with Tom Fazio, nephew of the legendary American golf course architect Tom Fazio, and his firm, Tom Fazio II, LLC. . The land, which is set among towering dunes beside the North Sea, has been acquired. Planning and permitting is underway and work is scheduled to commence by September 2006, with a course opening scheduled for spring 2008.
"Mr Trump was committed to identify a world-class traditional links site in the Home of Golf and Menie Estate was chosen because it satisfies all of the strict project criteria set out by The Trump Organization," said Ashley Cooper, Executive Vice President, Acquisitions and Development for The Trump Organization. "Our goal is to create the greatest links golf courses in Scotland as part of a golf development that will become the finest in Europe, if not the world."
Membership details for Trump International Golf Links, Scotland will be announced in the future. Cooper confirmed that The Trump Organization is committed to maintaining strong ties with the local community and to working closely with all of the various representatives to ensure that the development would integrate into and bring maximum benefit to the region.
Projected project costs are not available but Cooper estimated that the new links course alone would be in excess of $18 million (£10 million). The ultimate cost of the development will depend on the final outcome of the planning application, which will be submitted to Aberdeenshire Council in May. It is anticipated that costs will be in excess of $500 million.
Commenting on the proposals, Jack Perry, Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise which, through its international arm Scottish Development International has worked closely with The Trump Organization, said, "This is a very welcome application which has the potential to impact favourably not only on the economy of the northeast of Scotland but on the country as a whole. Investments such as this help Scotland to improve its tourism product and gain a valuable profile in world markets."
"The Trump Organization is renowned for the high standards it sets in its commercial ventures worldwide and if the planning application is successful then Scotland will undoubtedly benefit from being part of such an expansive and successful chain of golf properties," Perry added.
"With one of the most authentic and diverse golfing experiences possible, Scotland is renowned as the home of golf and as a top quality destination for visitors from across the world and this development further confirms this strong reputation," said VisitScotland Chairman Peter Lederer. "That Scotland is the first choice in Europe for a corporation with the international profile of The Trump Organization, shows we truly are leading the way."
Donald Trump’s passion for Scotland stems from his pride in his Scottish roots. His mother, Mary MacLeod, grew up on the Island of Lewis in Stornoway where her first language was Gaelic, before moving to New York City at age 20. His decision to build the Trump International Golf Links, Scotland is the fulfilment of a long-held dream.
The Scotland project will join five other Trump Golf Properties:
— Trump National Golf Club in Westchester, New York
— Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey
— Trump National Golf Club, Los Angeles, California
— Trump International Golf Club, Palm Beach County, Florida
— Trump International Golf Club on the island of Canouan in the Grenadines.
For further information on this project, access the website at www.trumpgolfscotland.com or for information on Trump golf courses, please go to www.trumpnational.com.
Contact:
Lora McCluskey (Europe)
+ 44 7866 460141
email: lora@trumpgolfscotland.com
Karen Moraghan (United States)
908/876-5100 or 908/963-6013
email: kmoraghan@hunter-pr.com
Stephen Sharp, Scottish Enterprise
Tel: 0141 228 7364
Mobile: 07786 126 629
email: stephen.sharp@scotent.co.uk
Kate McMurtrie (UK), VisitScotland
Tel: +44 7778 514 767
email: kate.mcmurtrie@visitscotland.com
